If Paul Jewell hoped Derby County's ignominious relegation from the top flight would bring respite he is quickly being made to think again. Just three weeks into the new season and the Rams are bottom of the Championship with a single point and a solitary goal from four matches. To make matters worse the break for international action means they will remain there for the next two weeks at least.

Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Barnsley, who went into the match as the only Championship side without a point, made it 36 league games without a win for Derby as late goals from Iain Hume and Stephen Foster sealed the points for the hosts.

Having presided over 28 of those matches the pressure on Jewell has increased to the extent that one bookmaker has slashed the odds on him being the first managerial casualty of the new season from 6-1 to 5-2. "I'm devastated with the result but the performance was as good as we have given this season. We deserved better," said Jewell.

Reading, who accompanied Derby in dropping out of the Premier League, have taken time to readjust to life in the Football League but in Kevin Doyle they have a striker capable of scoring the goals to necessitate an instant return. The Ireland international, the subject of transfer speculation, scored a second-half hat-trick to helps the Royals come from behind against Crystal Palace

James Harper put Reading in front at the Madejski Stadium before Palace hit back with a penalty by Nick Carle and a Tom Soares effort midway through the second half. However, Doyle turned the match on its head with two goals in a minute before completing his treble to seal a 4-2 win. Steve Coppell, the Reading manager, played down talk of Doyle leaving before today's transfer deadline. "We've had no contact from anyone for several weeks about him," he said.

Preston North End continued their impressive form as they came from behind to beat Charlton Athletic 2-1 at Deepdale. Andy Gray's spot-kick gave the visitors a half-time lead but two goals in eight minutes from Neil Mellor and Barry Nicholson sent North End second in the table.

Southampton's woes continued as a Ben Burgess penalty consigned them to a 1-0 home defeat by Blackpool at St Mary's. "I expected more from the players," said Jan Poortvliet, the Saints manager.

Bristol City continue to build on last season's play-off final appearance, although their hopes of laying claim to one of the automatic promotion places were foiled by 10-man Queens Park Rangers at Ashton Gate. Dexter Blackstock put the Londoners in front and although Dele Adebola restored parity City had to settle for a point as QPR shut up shop after Emmanuel Ledesma saw red.

Doncaster beat Coventry thanks to a Richie Wellens goal and Steve Watson earned Sheffield Wednesday a point at Swansea who had led through Ferrie Bodde. Elsewhere, John-Joe O'Toole struck a late winner for Watford against Ipswich at Vicarage Road after John Eustace had cancelled out Pablo Counago's early effort, and there were goalless draws between Sheffield United and CardiffCity at Bramall Lane and between Burnley and Plymouth at Turf Moor.